The last broadside
Words: Elizabeth T. Porter Beach
Music: Frederick Buckley
Shall we give them a broadside my boys as she goes?
Shall we send yet another to tell
In iron tongued words, to Columbia's foes
How bravely her sons say "farewell?"
"Ay! what tho' we sink 'neath the turbulent wave
'Tis with "duty and right" at the helm
And over the form should the fierce waters rave
No tide can the spirit d'erwhelm!
No tide can the spirit o'erwhelm!
"Shall we give them a broadside once more my brave men?"
"Ay! ay!" rose the full, earnest cry!
"A broadside, a broadside we'll give them again
Then, for God and the right nobly die!"
"Haste! haste!" for amid all that battering din
Comes a gurgling sound fraught with fear
As swift flowing waters pour rushingly in
Up! up 'till the portholes they near!
Up! up! 'till the portholes they near!
No blenching, no falt'ring! still fearless all seem
Each man firm to duty doth bide
A flash! and a broadside! a shout! a careen!
And the "Cumberland" sinks 'neath the tide
The "Star spangled banner" still bloating above
As a beacon upon the dark wave!
Our ensign of glory, proud streaming in love
O'er the tomb of the loyal and brave
O'er the tomb of the loyal and brave
Bold hearts! mighty spirits! "tried gold" of our land
A halo of glory your meed
All honor'd the noble soul'd Cumberland band
So true in Columbia's need
Bold hearts! mighty spirits! "tried gold" of our land
A halo of glory your meed
All honor'd the noble soul'd Cumberland band